Serial Podcast: Bergdahl Became Peace Talks "Line Item"

By
Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law
|March 04, 2016

In the latest episode of the Serial podcast, titled "Trade Secrets,"
journalist Sarah Koenig and her team delve into the details of Bowe Bergdahl's
rescue from the Taliban. What most people know as the controversial Gitmo
prisoner swap of 2014 actually started off much loftier in scale—and
aimed to end the war in Afghanistan.

Military Action vs. Diplomacy

As
Stars and Stripes recaps, the seeds of the effort to rescue Bergdahl started with U.S. diplomat
Richard Holbrooke, best known for brokering the 1995 Dayton Accords in
the Balkans. Holbrooke thought that peace in Afghanistan could be achieved
diplomatically, chiefly by getting the Taliban to start negotiating with
the Afghani government.

Holbrooke's theory, however, was not popular and he frequently clashed
with his friend, General David Petraeus, who was leading the Afghanistan
war effort. Kati Marton, Holbrooke's widow, recalled: "Richard
would have 10-second conversations with Petraeus and the gist of that
was this was no time for diplomacy."

However, by late 2010, Holbrooke was able to set up a secret meeting in
Munich with a Taliban insider known as "A-Rod." It did seem
possible that, if the Taliban could find official recognition from the
Afghani government, there could be a chance for peace... and if that was
possible, Bergdahl could be released.

Stalling. And stalling again.

The tenuous talks hit a devastating setback when Holbrooke suffered a heart
attack and passed away. In early 2011, then-Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton expressed interest in furthering Holbrooke's efforts. The
Taliban withdrew from talks however, especially when hopes of their Guantanamo
prisoner demands seemed too much for the U.S. negotiators. Diplomat Marc
Grossman told Koenig that the Taliban, in particularly, "wanted these
five guys" from the prison released.

Later, Secretary of State John Kerry oversaw revived talks, which this
time included a demand over an official Taliban government office. The
office was agreed upon, but when then-Afghan President Hamid Karzai noticed
that flag and sign sported the words "Arab Emirates" (language
that was supposed to be prohibited), the relations between the Afghani
government and Taliban fell apart again. Throughout all this, Bergdahl’s
release remained a “line item” for negotiating peace and a
condition of ending U.S. military combat operations in Afghanistan.

Bergdahl's Release

In early 2014, the Taliban submitted to talks again. This time, the loftier
goals of ending the fighting were dropped: the insurgents were only interested
in freeing the five prisoners from Gitmo. In exchange, they would free Bergdahl.

During this time, Bergdahl recalls his treatment from his captors improving.
He was served regular meals, received a toothbrush, and was provided science
textbooks to occupy his time. A treadmill was even moved into his cell
so he could exercise.

The final details of the exchange were worked out and, on May 31, Bergdahl
was picked up by U.S. forces. Bergdahl had not spoken English in so long
that he recalls trying to thank the Soldiers who received him and having
to write it down.

"These Five Guys"

One of the most controversial aspects of Bergdahl's release is the
perception that five active terrorists were released back into the field
from Gitmo to secure his freedom. Koenig and her team explored this aspect
of the prisoner exchange and found that while even Afghanis were surprised
with just how valuable Bergdahl seemed to be in the trade, the assumption
that U.S. was releasing dangerous enemy combatants is not as clear.

Carol Rosenberg, a journalist for the
Miami Herald who covers military affairs—including those involving Guantanamo
Bay-- reminded Koenig that the prisoners that were traded had not had
any intelligence value for a long time. Osama bin Laden had already been
killed and Rosenberg called the prisoners "highly compliant"
with Gitmo staff, likening them to P.O.Ws who were just waiting for the
conflict to be over so they could be freed.

You can listen to all of Serial season 2, episode 9 at the Serial website.
Episode 10—which will explore the Army's decision to press charges
against Bergdahl—will debut on March 17.

If you are a military servicemember facing a criminal accusation,
Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law invites you to contact our firm today. Attorney Jordan is a 10+ year U.S.
Army veteran who now travels the country—and the whole world—to
defend the rights and representations military members facing the most
serious of allegations.

Do not fact this uncertain time without counsel capable of securing results.
Contact our firm today to request a free case evaluation.

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